MICHAEL Spillane scored a stunning goal from inside his own half as Chelmsford City held on to secure a 3-2 win at Wealdstone in the National League South.

City withheld late pressure to avoid letting 3-0 lead slip after goals from Spillane, Rhys Murphy and Tom Wraight secured an important three points.

But it was the hosts that almost drew first blood. David Pratt headed past Nathan McDonald on 16 minutes but the flag was raised for offside.

Spillane’s moment of magic arrived on 27 minutes. After winning the ball just outside his own penalty area, the defender drove forward, spotted Jonathan North off his line and lobbed the Stones stopper from 65 yards.

Shortly afterwards Murphy doubled the visitors’ lead, bundling home a low right wing cross.

And Chelmsford appeared to make sure of the points early in the second period when when Anthony Church picked out Wraight and the winger instinctively lashed home from 25 yards.

Two minutes later Wealdstone were back in the contest. Some pinball penalty area ended with Max Porter diverting the ball past his own goalkeeper.

And with 30 minutes remaining there was just one goal in it. Substitute Stefan Brown atoned for an earlier miss after picking up a knockdown and blasting into the goal.

On 70 minutes Wealdstone had a golden chance to draw level when Porter was penalised for handball but McDonald dived to his left and kept out Danny Green’s low strike.

Chris Whelpdale headed wide as the Clarets looked to stretch their advantage and although Bradley Bubb hit the post late on for Wealdstone, Chelmsford held on to take home all three points.

Chelmsford City: McDonald, Young, Anderson, Omozusi, Spillane, Church, Porter (Fenwick 76), Nasha (Miles 61), Giles, Wraight (Whelpdale 70), Murphy